[April 5th, Monday]

Today marked the first day of a new year at Kuoh Academy.

Zaydas was now in his final year.

'Will I be in the same class as Rias-nee and the others again this year?'

It would be three consecutive years if that were the case. And now, knowing the original plot, it's quite possible someone's pulling strings to keep them in the same class every time.

***

***

[Grimmory Mansion]

"By the way, Sirzachs," Zatanna remembered something, "isn't she coming to the human world as well?"

"You're talking about his fiancée?" Sirzachs asked with a small smile.

"Yes, that's it," she sighed. "I still think we should've told him about the engagement..."

"And where's the fun in that?" Sirzachs chuckled lightly, pulling her into his arms. "Trust me, it'll be a good surprise for him."

"There you go again." Zatanna felt helpless against her husband's antics, but she didn't try to free herself from his embrace.

But what could she do? She loved him even when he acted like this~

***

***

At Kuoh Academy, a girl wearing the school uniform seemed a little lost and curious.

This was her first time in the human world alone, and it would be her first time attending a school with humans. Not to mention... she would finally be with her fiancé.

"Who is she?"

"So beautiful..."

"She looks like she's from a wealthy family..."

"Is she a foreigner?"

"She must be. Just look at her hair, it seems natural, and that hairstyle..."

"Wow! Another beauty is joining our school~"

"Hey, Issei, what do you think?"

"Aren't you the expert, Motohama?"

"Let me see, let me see... B85-W59-H84 cm!"

"As expected, you analyzed it perfectly—"

The duck-haired boy stopped speaking as he felt the icy gaze of the girl in question.

If looks could kill, all three of them would've dropped dead on the spot.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Hmph!" Snorting coldly, the girl continued walking, ignoring the perverts.

"Wow, so cold~ She made my whole body shiver~"

"Shut up, you filthy perverts!"

"Why don't you all just drop dead?"

"God, how did they even get accepted? And how haven't they been expelled yet? The world is so unfair. Sigh..."

Even faced with such aggressive comments, the trio remained unfazed. It was routine for them, after all.

***

***

Zaydas, unaware that he had suddenly gained a fiancée who was coming to meet him, found the board displaying his name.

[Class 3-B: Zaydas Grimmory]

Alongside his name, he saw several familiar names like Rias, Akeno, Sona, etc.

When he arrived in the classroom, he spotted Rias, who waved at him.

"Zay-kun, over here~"

Zaydas approached her.

"Ara, good morning, Zaydas-sama. By the way, nice haircut. It really suits you~" Akeno greeted him cheerfully, laughing happily with an "Ufufu" sound.

"Thank you, Akeno, and good morning." Zaydas replied, then sighed. "By the way, when are you going to stop doing that?"

Confused, she opened her eyes and asked, tense, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Maybe?" Zaydas smiled. "Every day I see you, I feel like you've become even more beautiful. Aren't you overdoing it? If you keep this up, I won't know how to act around you next time!"

"..."

Rias sighed.

Akeno, who rarely blushes, had a pink cloud forming on her cheeks. However, it didn't take her long to react, as she placed her hand in front of her mouth, letting out a sincere giggle, and said, "Ufufu, look at you, so sweet~ What will you do if I end up falling in love with you, huh?"

"That's a real problem, indeed." Zaydas touched his chin, seemingly staring into the void. Pondering, he said, "Well... at that point, would I be stealing my aunt's queen?"

"Zay-kun, Akeno!" Rias couldn't take any more of the little theater between the two and called out loudly.

Because she had raised her voice, several people in the classroom turned to look. But when they saw who it was, they seemed used to the scene, observing with interest in their eyes. Especially Sona, who had a small smile on her lips.

"Ara ara. We're in trouble. What should we do, Zaydas-sama?" Akeno had a worried expression as she asked him.

"Aunt, calm your fury!!" Zaydas said dramatically, "breaking out in a cold sweat."

"Aunt my foot, call me Rias-nee like always!" Rias crossed her arms.

"Yes, Rias-nee." Zaydas was cooperative.

Rias's lips curved into a perfectly arched smile upon hearing him call her that.

The truth was, in the past, Zaydas had refused to call her that. And sometimes, he still called her "aunt," which she didn't like one bit.

But women can be irrational—when she wanted to act authoritative with him, she emphasized the fact that she was his aunt...

"Everyone to your seats!"

***

***

[Lunch break, rooftop]

"What do you mean, you're my fiancée?"

The girl stubbornly stomped her foot on the ground, affirming, "Yes, I am your fiancée!"

Zaydas looked at Rias for answers. If anyone knew something about this, it had to be her or his parents.

Moments earlier, Zaydas, Akeno, and Rias had met up with Koneko and Kiba. Their destination was the rooftop for lunch.

After all, each of them attracted too much attention anywhere else and wouldn't find peace.

Suddenly, as they were talking and eating, a girl entered the rooftop and walked over to them.

Though the girl was petite (153 cm tall), she had good proportions and promised to become even more voluptuous as she grew older.

Standing before Zaydas, she said, "Pleased to meet you, Zaydas-sama." She spoke politely, with an air of nobility: "I've come to introduce myself as your fiancée. My name is Ravel Phenex. I'll be in your care!"

Her voice carried a distinct noble mannerism, often using phrases like "Desu wa."

Ravel was a beautiful young girl with blue eyes. She had long blonde hair styled into twin tails with large, drill-shaped curls held in place by blue ribbons. The front of her hair featured several bangs hanging over her forehead, with one V-shaped fringe resting on the bridge of her nose.

Whether it was her appearance or upbringing, everything about her was first-class.

...

Rias, feeling Zaydas's gaze, sighed.

She knew this day would come but hadn't expected it to be so soon. Much less that this little girl from the Phenex Clan would be bold enough to come to the human world in search of her fiancé.

Reluctantly, Rias responded, "She's right."

For those who understand, few words are needed.

Zaydas furrowed his brow slightly, thinking: 'So... the reason I never heard about Rias-nee's engagement is because it never happened, as the alliance between the Phenex and Gremory Clans must have been established through me? What do you think, Great Sage?'

[Responding. There's a good chance that's the case. But I see no harm in this, right? After all, you gaining a beautiful fiancée is a better scenario than Rias Gremory becoming engaged against her will, correct?]

'I can't deny that,' Zaydas replied, re-evaluating Ravel, who seemed a bit nervous, even anxious under his gaze.

He finally spoke, breaking the suffocating silence that had formed: "Sorry, I had no idea I had a fiancée. But are you okay with this?"

Her eyes sparkled slightly, though she masked it with a poker face: "Yes, from a very young age, I knew I would be your fiancée. And although this is my first time seeing you up close, I've seen you in photos as well."

'So that's why my father was giving me that look, as if he was waiting for something interesting to happen, right?' Zaydas thought. 'And here I was, thinking he was happy because school was finally starting again and he'd have time for intimate moments with Mom...'

"I see." Zaydas was understanding, saying, "In any case, if you're not against it—I'm okay with it too. However, you don't need to feel pressured to accept. If you wish, I'll find a way to handle it."

"I..." Ravel didn't know what to say.

"Ara ara, so reliable, Zaydas-sama. My heart just skipped a beat~" Akeno laughed, indirectly helping Ravel.

"If I believe you, I'll be a fool for the rest of my life," Zaydas retorted, then turned to Ravel, saying, "Have you had lunch yet? If not, join us."

Ravel had imagined several scenarios in her mind about meeting her fiancé. And why hide it? She had created countless scenarios and possible responses from him, among other things. Yet, none of them included such a mature and calm reaction as this. And even though it wasn't the way she had idealized it, she still... One could say she felt happy at this moment.

"Thank you." Expressing her gratitude, she then remembered that she hadn't brought anything with her.

"Here, melonpan."

Almost everyone looked surprised at the recipient. After all, this was Koneko we were talking about.

It was rare for her to share her food, especially with a stranger.

"Thank you. I'll owe you one and promise to repay you later." Ravel didn't refuse but didn't forget her manners either.

Koneko remained indifferent, opening a melonpan package for herself and nibbling on it shortly after.

***

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